RSS accuses INC of creating rift in society to regain power

The RSS on 24 May hit out at INC chief Rahul Gandhi over his comments on the violence in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu; earlier this month, it had slammed Gandhi for hoodwinking the people into believing that the Sangh was against caste-based reservations

Chennai: The Rashtriya Swayamsevak Sangh (RSS) today hit out at Indian National Congress (INC) chief Rahul Gandhi over his comments on the violence in Tuticorin district of Tamil Nadu, in which 11 people lost their lives during a protest demanding the closure of the Sterlite copper smelting plant.

RSS national joint secretary Manmohan Vaidya, in a statement, alleged that the INC and its president were trying to create divisions in the society to regain their lost support.

“The RSS is tirelessly working to unify the people of India, rising above caste, regional and religious identities, to work in the interest of the country,” Vaidya said.

He added that the political parties playing divisive politics were being rejected by the people of the country.

“A frustrated Congress party and its president Rahul Gandhi are trying to create more divisions in the society to regain their lost support,” Vaidya said.

The statement further read: “Sri Rahul Gandhi through a tweet today, named the RSS for the violence in Tamilnadu and the unfortunate firing in Thoothukudi. This is untrue and bereft of facts. We strongly condemn such irresponsible utterings of Congress and Sri Rahul Gandhi.”

The Twitter handle, RSSorg, which used to be disowned by the Sangh at one point in time, shared the statements in Hindi and English.

Statement by Dr.Manmohan Vaidya, Sah Sarkaryavah on the irresponsible utterings of Sri Rahul Gandhi naming the RSS for violence in Tamilnadu and the unfortunate firing in Thoothukudi. https://t.co/jwyeAh9Qsn

Earlier in the day, the BJP had slammed Gandhi for targeting the RSS over the killing of 11 people in police firing in Tuticorin, saying the INC chief was hiding his failures behind the veil of attacking the organisation.

Gandhi had claimed that Tamils were being killed in the state as they refused to “bow” to the RSS ideology.

The Sangh had taken a strong exception to Rahul Gandhi’s continuous barbs at the organisation earlier in May, too. In a statement issued on 7 May, the RSS sah sarkaryavah said, “Congress party and its president Rahul Gandhi continue to try and misguide the society with their lies and deceit. The official FB page of Rahul Gandhi has shared a blatant lie in the name of Sarsanghchalak Shri. Mohanji Bhagwat and me in that he has claimed that RSS intends to end the reservations granted to the SC/ST communities by the Indian constitution. These allegations are a white lie and absolutely baseless. Rahul Gandhi, if he has some honesty should furnish authentic references or source for his claims.”

Reiterating its commitment towards the historically underprivileged sections of society, Vaidya said, “The constitutional provisions of reservations for the Scheduled Castes/Tribes are because of the social inequalities that unfortunately exist in the Hindu society. It has been the official stand of RSS that these reservations should continue. The Akhil Bharatiya Pratinidhi Sabha has reiterated this from time to time through its resolutions.”

“The RSS is committed and engaged in creating an egalitarian and harmonious society in the country that is free from social inequalities. Rahul Gandhi and Congress party’s campaign is a political swindle based on lies and falsehood. I strongly condemn this heinous and unwelcome conduct,” the RSS sah sarkaryavah had said.